Lemelson STEM Academy opens where Sierra Vista once stood in north Reno

9:00 PM,
Aug. 27, 2013

Pedro Martinez, Washoe County School District Superintendent, poses with Marcello Bustramante, left, and Alan Lopez Melgar, students at the Dorothy Lemelson STEM Academy, formerly Sierra Vista Elementary School on Soaring Eagle Drive, which opened today.

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A week after most other local schools, but worth the wait, the Lemelson STEM Academy is open, signaling a new day for an old school.

Students, parents, teachers, school staff and school district officials gathered Monday at 9 a.m. in front of the academy - formerly Sierra Vista Elementary School in north Reno - to cut a ribbon on the first day of classes at the newly expanded and renovated school.

"So, we have new space," said principal Jonna AuCoin. "Also, construction began in December and it was cool. Kids got to see engineering from the ground up. ... It was so exciting." ...